Designers Say You’ll Regret These 5 Kitchen Tile Trends in 5 Years

Small Mosaic Tile

More is not more when it comes to the number of tiles in your kitchen. Not only will small mosaic tile leave you with an abundance of grout lines to clean, it will also make your kitchen look as if it’s begging for something larger scale.

“Small stone mosaics scream builder grade,” says Montana Elliott, principal designer at M. Elliott Studio. “It’ll look dated the moment you install it.” Instead, she recommends opting for something that fits the style of your kitchen and home rather than prioritizing the trends you see all over social media. For best results, go with a slightly larger field size tile. It’ll make your life easier in terms of maintenance. 

Fluted Tile

As designer Brandi Oldham, owner of Brandiwine Interior Design, explains, tile backsplashes are often an invitation to go one of two routes: You can play it safe or get caught up in the look of the moment. “Fluted or ribbed tiles are everywhere right now, but I suspect they’ll be tied pretty closely to 2025,” Oldham says. 

This three-dimensional tile gives a modern look to a kitchen — for now. But it’s been overdone in sleek, minimalist kitchens, whether done in stone as shown above or in ceramic or porcelain. Mark my words: Within a few years, these textural tiles are going to be the look that says, “Well, the kitchen’s a bit dated.”

White Subway Tile

White subway tile never really goes out of style, but it’s been used as a fallback rather than an intentional design decision for several years now. And, as many designers would agree, it’s time to move on. 

“I think we’re already tired of the standard white subway tile as a backsplash,” says designer Rachel Nowikas, owner of rs Design Management. “It was once a design staple but now just makes a space feel generic and clinical, especially when installed in the classic offset layout.”

If you still want to use subway-like tiles, it’s all good. Just try to branch out a bit in terms of the color and finish you choose — or try a different tile layout installation configuration, as Nowikas suggests.

Zeliige Tile

Zellige tile is a stunning look that’s become the tile darling of designers. Unless you don’t plan on actually cooking in your kitchen, though, these tiles aren’t the most practical. And this impracticality is what’s going to make zellige a passing trend rather than a timeless choice, at least for cook spaces. 

“Zellige tile in a kitchen — nothing says 2025 like it,” says Alexa Harris-Ralff, founder and principal designer of AHR Designs. “Its beauty is in the rough edges and varied thickness, but these tiles’ nooks and crannies don’t stand a chance against splattered pasta sauce and grease.”

The upshot here? Maybe reserve these shimmery squares and rectangles for a bathroom application, if you absolutely love the look.

Glass Tile

You can get an eye-catching, reflective look with glass tile on a kitchen backsplash, but that gleaming glass tile may have had its moment, and it’s time to let it go. 

“Glass tiles are too glossy,” says designer Andrea Sinkin Jaffee, owner of Andrea Sinkin Design. “We are looking more toward pottery earthen ceramics and natural materials, and glass subway tiles are more of a trend that is slipping away.” 

Though Sinkin Jaffee sees more matte finishes as coming on strongly, you can still get a little bit of glimmer in your kitchen if you want it. Just choose a slightly less shiny finish than glass to keep your space looking timeless.